Father's Day can be a difficult day for those who have lost a father. Whether it's the first year or many years after he has passed, there are many ways to for your family to honor your father.

On Father’s Day you may want to remember your father by visiting his final resting place. A visit to a cemetery or memorial park can be a special time of healing and reflection, but it can also be a sad time. If you visit for Father’s Day, you may want to take a few moments to think of a special tribute you can do to make the time feel more meaningful.

1) Flower arrangements – fresh or silk flowers can be placed on the headstone. These can be themed for any of dad’s interests such as his favorite sports team or hobby. 

2) Write a letter – write letters to your father. Read them either silently or aloud when you get there.

3) Plant a tree – depending on where the cemetery is located, it may be possible to plant a tree, bush or flower plant near the grave site.

4) Cemetery Cross – have a personalized cemetery cross made.

5) Add a marble photo – send a photograph off to have it engraved on a piece of marble that can be affixed to a headstone or other structure.

6) Patriotic wreaths or ribbons – if your father was a veteran, make a patriotic wreath or ribbons to decorate the headstone.

7) Grave jewelry – engrave a phrase, Bible verse, poem or other wording of your choosing on a marble slab that can be affixed to a headstone.

8) Resin sign – if you don’t want to make something that needs to be attached to a headstone, a personalized resin sign is a good alternative. These signs can be made in a variety of phrases and are designed to stick in the ground.

9) Personalized grave marker – have a marker made with dad’s photograph. Often these can be made on a stake designed to go in the ground near the gravesite.

10) Grave blankets – purchase or make a grave blanket to lay over the grave site

11) Meditation or prayer - Take some time to reflect in silence, either through meditation or prayer, depending on your beliefs.

12) Play music – play his favorite song

13) Share stories or special memories – gather family members and share stories. Remember the good times, the laughter and the love.

14) Clean the monument - Monuments can become dirty over time. While the cemetery will maintain the grounds, they likely will not clean the headstones. You can take some soap, water and rag to clean off the headstone or monument.

15) Check with the cemetery and see what options they have - Some cemeteries will have special events on Father’s Day. They may hand out flowers or have other types of ongoing memorials you can participate in.

There are many ways to honor fathers who have passed on Father’s Day. Hopefully one of these ideas will be the perfect fit for you and your family.